Monday, December 6, 2010

A tree and a trio of Italian cookies

The thing about decorating the Christmas tree is that you somehow need cookies. And when you have woefully decided that you are done with "over the river and through the woods to cut down your own tree on the coldest December, Minnesota weekend of the year," sometimes you need cookies with a wee bit of alcohol in them.
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Maybe it was the cursing every year while setting up the tree - in a family that really doesn't curse. Or the watering at 6:30 a.m. Or the terror the tree would dry out.

And so it came to pass that this year we broke down (well, nobody would help Paul put up the tree anymore) and bought a plastic .... err that would be artificial tree. And whether you are decorating a "real" tree or a plastic .... err artificial tree - you need cookies. Sweet pliable pillows of ricotta cookies or the Marsala rings to have with wine or the old-fashioned orange-whiskey cookies. I decided we needed them all. (We'll talk about the tree-decorating cheeses I put out later. I have a gene that causes excess.)

Ricotta Cookies
These just-sweet-enough Italian ricotta cookies melt-away in your mouth. Creamy, snowy, sweetly and with ease. Everyone should try this at least once. A change from the crunchy cookies that Italians love so much, I somehow get talked into making these 3-4 times during the holidays.

In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the zest and sugar. I add the zest for a brighter flavor - the cookies will not be lemony.

Add the butter in chunks and the ricotta cheese and beat till smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat till combined. Slowly add the flour mixture. Beat until all is combined. Dough will be soft and a bit sticky.

Form into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet.

Bake for fifteen minutes - until bottoms are browned but cookies are not. If desired, glaze immediately while warm and cover with sprinkles or use glaze. Cool and serve.

Glaze:

Combine powdered sugar, vanilla and milk in saucepan. Stir over medium heat till the mixtures turns liquidy and into a glaze. Brush tops of ricotta cookies as soon as they come out of the oven and cover with sprinkles.
These are not an overly sweet cookies, so if you like your cookies sweet, the glaze is a good idea. If you like a not-so-sugary cookie, simply cool.
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For fifteen years we had outings where we had to lay down in the snow (well mostly that would be Paul) and "saw" the tree down. I'm not sure if both kids ever agreed on the same tree. I was missing those days and their supposed ease (memories are questionable - but often kind). And so the Marsala cookies made an appearance. With the Marsala. We're all adults now... except at Christmas.Marsala Cookies
When I first started baking Marsala cookies, they were more like a biscuit. I wanted a grown-up version of a cookie that could be served with cocktails and wine as well as with coffee and milk. Over the years I played with a Tastes of Italia's recipe. I added salt to tenderize them, added baking powder to puff them a bit, reduced the sugar so they'd pair well with wine and also reduced the flour for a more moist cookie. The result is a slightly sweet cookie that can be served alongside appetizers, breads, cheeses or on an Italian cookie Christmas tray.

Break off a chunk of dough to form a one-inch ball. Roll ball between your palms to create a 4-6 inch rope. Bring ends of rope together into a circle.

Repeat till all the dough is used.

Bake 22 minutes.

Cool on racks and then store in an airtight container. Will keep well for about two weeks. Before serving, bring to room temperature and if you wish to sweeten the cookie, dust with powdered sugar.

I won't lie. I miss the pine smell. And inexplicably, Paul keeps looking for something to water, so I shall bring home something ... that needs spraying. A pine bouquet? Do they exist?
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And the last of tree-decorating-trio. You don't taste the whiskey. This is from my friend Leigh. She's an Italianophile - with an Italian heritage and originally from the east coast as I am. We discovered this during a ten-minute play rehearsal and squealed together like middle school hyenas bringing the rehearsal to a halt. And I have never been prone to squealing. But everyone needs a friend that brings an instant bond - a person that encourages you to learn Italian when the memory bank is not what it was at 20. And someone who shares family recipes from the old country.Orange-Whiskey Cookies - makes about 30 cookies

These not-sweet but creamy whiskey cookies pair well with a cocktail or a glass of dry white wine. The original orange-whiskey cookie recipe seemed to feed Naples. So I played with amounts. I love discovering new recipes and this one is a keeper.

Orange-Whiskey Cookie Ingredients

1/4 pound unsalted butter - softened

1/3 cup shortening

1/2 cup granulated sugar (if you like a sweet cookie you could add another 1/4 cup)

1 egg yolk

2 eggs - divided

1 jigger whiskey

zest from 1 orange

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3 cups flour

non-pareils or sesame seeds for decorating

Preparation:

In a large bowl or a mixer, cream butter, shortening, sugar, egg yolk and 1 egg.

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What is about the tree that evokes trees of the past. In my childhood, my father and I and later with my "baby" sister went out every Christmas Eve to buy a tree. I wondered why they always waited. But of course, my father was in graduate school and money was tight. Trees were 50% off on Christmas Eve! My mother had a "Christmas Club" account. She put a few dollars in every week to ensure that my sister and I were spoiled silly on Christmas Day. Those were the days when presents only appeared on your birthday and on Christmas. All these memories rolling towards me through the simple act of decorating a tree.
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We haven't named the new tree yet. Someday I shall tell you about "Harold" - our pathetic but well-loved tree - who fell off a car roof and into a ditch, was almost kidnapped and found his way back to us - a sadsack of a tree but we kept Harold's needles in the freezer for years. He was "the little tree who could." In the end, you ooh and ahh over every ornament. There's the one from Taos and the ones I brought back from London so many years ago. The Peter Rabbit ones for Kirsten and the trains for Matthew. Each ornament telling of a family story. A time machine - simultaneously standing still and being swept through the years. In a sense, the tree is our family history. And it sill needs its red bows.

What a great trip down memory lane with the tree, havent had a real one in at least 30 years and it always died early we forget to water it lol and these are all lovely cookies, I would eat a whole plate of those wine cookies, have made them but from Muscatel wine which I cant find anymore, so I havent done them in along time, this was a great trio. Its so hard this time of the year being Italian there are more cookie recipes than food to make and love them all, its like your preparing for a wedding huh? Amazing plate full of goodness here...love them!

Just about over six years ago...we had to let go of that Pine aroma too. Our puppy was just now very friendly with the tree...so a tough decision we had to make.

Your cookies made me think back to the marsala ones I had made many years ago. My recollection is that they didn't sound nearly as great as yours are. I'm bookmarking this one so that it could possibly give me a better memory ahead. The Marsala bottle is full too. LOL

Your tree is beautiful. I love that your ornaments bring back such wonderful memories.

I would gladly help you decorate for a taste of those cookies and a glass of wine. Please pass the Marsala ones. No, no, I mean the orange and whiskey ones.... Oh well, I'll just have one of each if you don't mind. Sam

Oh, I love your cookies...it is the only time that I can say I love cookies...christmas...and then I probably make up for the whole rest of the year in eating! and I would love to hear the story of Harold...I suppose it isn't him priding in thecorner her? But still beautiful with all the rmembering ornaments...it is what christmas is all about ...to me in any case...all those stories!bisesRonelle

Your tree is lovely, as are your cookie recipes. I love to try recipes that are new to me. I'll be making one of the three cookies for the weekend. I'll let you know how they turned out. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

And THIS is what Christmas is really all about. The memories...not the boozey cookies---although I suppose those go hand in hand ;) Of course I want to make all three varieties...and squeal with delight! Your tree looks beautiful...and as real as can be :)

Claudia, don't feel so bad, I jokingly say to everyone that we went to the "dark side" last year,referring to our artificial tree purchase. At least we have a few chuckles over it. Actually you can't really tell the difference, other than missing the beautiful smell of pine in the air. Love your variety of traditional Italian cookies. I must try some of the less known with my mom.

Wow, look at at these amazing Italian cookie recipes! I am particularly intrigued by the Orange Whiskey ones because I love orange and have never baked with whiskey before. I bet they're all delicious.

I just can't give up the real tree....who knows maybe down the road we will but for now, the smell of pine lingers in our home during the holiday season. Luckily our Berners don't think much of having a tree in the house.Your cookies look amazing! I love those ricotta cookies, I do have to make them, I can just imagine those lovely marsala and whiskey cookies..perfect for dunking!Thanks for sharing these great recipes with us, I'm sure they have served you well over the yearsHave a happy holidays!Dennis

Your tree real or not is beautiful. All of our ornaments have a story like yours. So the way I look at it is whether the tree is real or artificial, what matters is the history and stories that each ornament have and add each year. All of the cookies sound and look delicious. You can never go grown with a little kick in your cookies :) I hope you have a beautiful holiday.

Love how you described the tree as a time machine! Perfect. And seeing all of your scrumptious cookies just made me excited to begin my holiday baking! I think your ricotta cookies will be on the menu this year.

Claudia,All three of theses cookies sound wonderful, I will have to try the ricotta ones, I love soft cookies instead of crunchy. Your tree is so pretty, just looking at everyones decorations is putting me in the mood.-Gina-

Of course I'm going to try each of these recipes for the church cookie sale. A little ethnicity might stir things up a bit. As far as trees go, I've always had plas...er artificial due to allergies. And there is that one Christmas where my brother-in-law attacked the tree while sleepwalking...

Claudia- Your family's tree is beautiful. I love getting out those old keepsake ornaments from way back. Such powerful memories, some of them bittersweet. Loved every single cookie you made and I'm sure I could gorge myself on all of them. (I have the gene for excess too). I have been looking for a softer cookie recipe though and will have to try the ricotta cookies.

Ok, I'm making those ricotta cookies tomarrow! I've been on a biscotti baking binge the past 2 days, and I have 2 lbs of ricotta that needs to be used up,I love that they're round little balls instead of flat. Love all your stories and memories Claudia!

Claudia, your Christmas tree is lovely and old keepsake ornaments are priceless. Love everything you made and they all look fantastic. There is a Stylish Blogger Award to be claimed by you at my blog. It was given to me by Elisabeth and one of the rules is to pass on to other bloggers whom I think are fantastic and you are one of them in my list. Thanks again for sharing with us all the wonderful stories and recipes. HUGS!

You absolutely need cookies when putting up the tree! No matter if the tree has been cut down or purchased in a box. And with those cookies, should be liquor too. I totally agree with you.

Beautiful cookies you prepared.

byw, It is difficult to define Florida cold when you are comparing it to a Minnesota cold :-) What people don't realize is that I live in the northern part of Florida, that has a change of seasons. This week temps have been as low as 23 degrees-its cold for us :-) We get cold temps w/o any pleasures of snow (sigh).

I wish my tiny little X'mas tree (on the table, (as all my 3 cats are crazy for all the ornaments)could have looked so festive! Love the Italian cookies! And you are so right about decorating an artificial tree with cookies...I even hang a few of cinnamon stick..you know for the X'mas aroma!

Hi Claudia....Did you survive the snow storm?! Wow.... lots of snow up your way. I agree with you that tree decorating = cookie making. Basically the entire month of December = cookie baking, candy making and sweets.

Ahem.... shhh - We have a "plastic" tree from my mother in-law. We have been using it for the past 2 years. It is tiny and sweet and can still scratch you like a real tree, but the smell is missing.

I love the sound of ricotta cookies as I know they must be light, soft and creamy in taste. I don't know if I'll ever catch up in time to bake this year...we are buying our tree tomorrow and I'l just begin to decorate....lots to do!

Those cookies look wonderfully good! I've never made them, so I'm printing out these recipes. The only 'cookies' that we grew up with from Italy is the family's almond contucci ( biscotti) that when we made them, no one had ever heard of them! Buon Natale, Claudia! PS: We haven't had a live tree for over 25 years. Your tree looks beautiful!

Just finished the ricotta cookies, and my husband (who is not a cookie fan) loved them. Not too sweet, but so soft and yummy in your mouth. I am taking most of them to a cookie exchange, but am sure to be making these again!Thank you!!

Claudia, using artificial X'mas tree is good. You can use it over & over again. Saving you lots of money every year. Plus, we shouldn't cutting down trees. It takes years for them to grow. Really not easy! Kristy

If I hadn't already made six kinds of cookies, those orange-whiskey cookies would be next on the list. Oh shoot - I think we need seven kinds on the tray. Re:tree - I have threatened each year to buy a fake one, but the kids would mutiny. i suppose you could buy a pine-smelling candle though right.